Raising Brain| A Secular Homeschool Blog

Nov 10
2 min

Emotional Charades - A Fun Social Emotional Learning Game

Lately I have been incorporating more team building challenges in our class to help them practice with problem solving, listening,...

Nov 9
2 min

Jack-o-Lantern DNA Pumpkin Carving Activity - Learning About Traits

I entered a contest for teachers that a local pumpkin patch was hosting, and we won a pumpkin for every student! What on earth is a...

Oct 23
2 min

Eighth Grade Learning Goals

These goals are suggestions based on state standards. As always, each child learns differently and at a different pace, this is to act as...

Oct 23
3 min

Seventh Grade Learning Goals

These goals are suggestions based on state standards. As always, each child learns differently and at a different pace, this is to act as...

Oct 23
3 min

Sixth Grade Learning Goals

These goals are suggestions based on state standards. As always, each child learns differently and at a different pace, this is to act as...

Oct 13
4 min

Classroom MEME Management

I have learned that the quickest way to an upper elementary/middle school student's heart is with memes. I wanted to share how I...

Oct 8
4 min

How to Make Closed Aquatic Ecosystem Jars

Observing real life ecosystems is a great way for students to build ecological content knowledge and a way for them to use the scientific...

Oct 6
1 min

Cozy Fall Backgrounds with Music for the Classroom

I wanted to share some of our favorite cozy fall ambiances to have on in the background while we are working! I also have it on while...

Oct 6
1 min

Cell Organelle Classroom Gallery Wall Art

I needed something learners could reference while working on an activity that required moving around so I made these to where they can...

Oct 6
2 min

Oh Deer! A Fun Game for Teaching About Population Change and Resources

For one part of our Ecology unit we learned how resource availability affects population. To get a better perspective of this we played...

Oct 5
5 min

Decomposing Jack-O-Lantern - A Fun Fall Science Lab

Let's face it kids LOVE gross things, and gross things can teach us a lot! What better way to teach about decomposition, and how it is...

Oct 3
2 min

Shrinky Dink Cell Key Chains

I found this project suggested in a biology group I am in on Facebook and it looked SO fun! However there aren't many tutorials on how to...

Dec 15, 2020
7 min

Holidays Around the World Books

People often live in communities with populations that are demographically similar. In other words, your neighbors probably practice a...

Sep 29, 2020
2 min

Identifying Odd and Even Numbers (A Lesson Plan with Free Resources)

We use Time4Learning as our homeschool foundation for curriculum. It is super affordable, and easy to navigate however it is quite text...

Sep 24, 2020
7 min

The Power of Cozy and it's Relationship to Behavior

If you follow me on Facebook, you will have noticed and may have been a participant in a series of polls asking you to choose which photo...

Sep 8, 2020
3 min

Fifth Grade Learning Goals

These goals are suggestions based on state standards. As always, each child learns differently and at a different pace, this is to act as...

Sep 8, 2020
4 min

Fourth Grade Learning Goals

These goals are suggestions based on state standards. As always, each child learns differently and at a different pace, this is to act as...

Sep 8, 2020
4 min

Third Grade Learning Goals

These goals are suggestions based on state standards. As always, each child learns differently and at a different pace, this is to act as...

Sep 8, 2020
3 min

Second Grade Learning Goals

These goals are suggestions based on state standards. As always, each child learns differently and at a different pace, this is to act as...

Sep 8, 2020
3 min

First Grade Learning Goals

These goals are suggestions based on state standards. As always, each child learns differently and at a different pace, this is to act as...

Sep 8, 2020
1 min

Kindergarten Learning Goals

These goals are suggestions based on state standards. As always, each child learns differently and at a different pace, this is to act as...

May 6, 2020
2 min

Caring for Tadpoles

Taking care of tadpoles: 1. First you’ll need a suitable container, like an aquarium or fishbowl. Choose a container that will be easy to...

Mar 18, 2020
2 min

Creating a Mini Closed Ecosystem at Home!

Oakley collected some sediment and water from our creek and added a piece of wood with moss in it at the top of the mason jar. We closed...

Mar 16, 2020
1 min

St. Patrick's Day Activities and Snack Ideas!

St. Patrick’s Day Leprechaun Trap Ideas are a fun and creative way to set up a Leprechaun trap for your child to see! Fun and easy kid...

Feb 6, 2020
2 min

Valentine's Day Candy Heart Science

Let's be honest, candy hearts aren't the greatest tasting holiday candies, they are right up there with Peeps for me. However, we did...

Jan 14, 2020
2 min

What is Priming? How is it Effective in Education?

What is Priming? Priming is one of the unconscious ways our memories work when we're identifying words, objects, tasks, or situations at...

Dec 6, 2019
1 min

Live Animal Cams - For Little Researchers

Do you have a little animal researcher? Many kids fall in love with a favorite animal, and sadly most of them are hard to observe in...

Nov 22, 2019
1 min

Fun Negative Space Christmas Tree Art

We literally did this project while I cooked a meal! It is so fun and easy, and not a really big set up! You will need chalk pastels, (we...

Nov 21, 2019
3 min

Dirty Hands Bread Experiment

This was a really neat experiment to do to learn about germs and how they spread! It was really interesting and GROSS at the same time!...

Nov 17, 2019
1 min

Fun Themed Gingerbread Houses

My friend sent me the CUTEST Super Mario themed gingerbread house and I went down a gingerbread rabbit hole on amazon... if you are...

Nov 12, 2019
2 min

Critical Thinking Morse Code Pen Pal Activity

We have really been enjoying writing back and fourth with our pen pals! We have two sets, and they are both so awesome and engaging! This...

Nov 7, 2019
1 min

Grinch's Stink Stank Stunk Ornament Freebie!

This is a super fun and easy Christmas time craft... bonus if you are a Grinch fan like myself :) This is a quote from the lyrics of...

Oct 31, 2019
1 min

Fun Halloween Activity Freebies!

Below are a few of our favorite Halloween freebies! Click on the pictures for the direct link to print! Halloween ISPY: Build a Jack O...

Oct 29, 2019
1 min

Nature Scavenger Hunt *Free Printable*

We love heading outdoors to see what we can find! I found this awesome Hiking Scavenger Hunt printable on Make and Takes website! The...

Sep 25, 2019
1 min

Activities for Teaching about Leaves

Let the crisp September, coffee on the front porch mornings begin! This time of year is the perfect time to start studying the leaves,...

Sep 17, 2019
2 min

Activities for Teaching the Skeletal System

What is the Skeletal System? You have a skeleton inside of your body (endoskeleton) made up of bones. Insects and crustaceans have...

Sep 17, 2019
2 min

Activities for Teaching the Soil Layers

This week we are learning about the different layers of soil! What is soil? Soil is the part of the earth’s surface comprised of...

Sep 13, 2019
2 min

Why having a Pen Pal is Beneficial for Children

Having a pen pal helps promote many key developmental skills. Sure we can hop online any time and be in contact with someone from the...

Sep 12, 2019
3 min

Activities for Teaching the Moon Phases

This week we started learning about the Moon, and it's 8 phases! Here are the 8 phases, in order: New moon (no moon) > Waxing Crescent >...

Sep 5, 2019
1 min

Pablo Picasso Cubism Art Project

Today we learned about Pablo Picasso and tried out some cubism style self portrait art! It was a blast they really enjoyed it! We watched...